Ready to dive into the heart-pounding action of Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign? You've come to the right place! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to experience the gripping story of Task Force One. So, grab your controller or mouse and keyboard, and let's get started!
A World War II Saga: Understanding the Vanguard Campaign
Before we jump into the "how-to," let's briefly touch on what you're about to experience. Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign thrusts you into the brutal theaters of World War II, but with a unique twist. You'll play as several distinct characters, each with their own backstory and unique skills, as they form the first-ever Special Forces unit, Task Force One. Their mission? To uncover and stop a secret Nazi project known as Project Phoenix, which threatens to prolong the war and reshape its outcome.
The campaign is a linear experience, meaning there are no branching paths or decisions that alter the story. It's a focused narrative, designed to deliver a cinematic and intense experience from start to finish. There are nine missions in total, taking you across various iconic World War II locations.
Is Co-op an Option?
Unfortunately, no. The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign is a solo experience. If you're looking for co-op action, you'll need to explore the game's Multiplayer or Zombies modes.
Step 1: Getting Ready for Deployment – Installation and Setup
Alright, soldier, the first step is ensuring your game is ready to go. This might seem obvious, but there are a few important nuances with Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Ensuring Your Campaign is Installed
Have you fired up Vanguard and noticed a lock icon next to the Campaign mode? Don't panic! This is a common occurrence. Call of Duty games often prioritize the download of Multiplayer and Zombies modes first.
- Console Players (PlayStation, Xbox): Simply hover over the "Campaign" mode on the title screen. You should see an option to "Start Install" at the bottom of your screen (it's typically the Square button on PlayStation and the X button on Xbox). Press this, and your campaign files will begin downloading. You'll need an internet connection for this initial download.
- PC Players: If you're on PC, the campaign typically downloads with the main game, but if you encounter issues, verify your game files through your Battle.net launcher. Ensure all necessary content packs are installed.
Sub-heading: Internet Connectivity - A Quick Note
While the campaign itself can largely be played offline once fully installed, you'll need an internet connection for the initial download and any mandatory updates. For PC players, Call of Duty Vanguard is linked to Battle.net, and it will not function offline at all for any mode without an internet connection, even for the campaign. Console players can play the campaign offline after the initial mandatory updates, but you'll need a linked PlayStation Network or Xbox profile.
Step 2: Choosing Your Challenge – Difficulty Settings
Once the campaign is installed, you'll be prompted to select a difficulty. This is an important decision, as it significantly impacts your gameplay experience.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Difficulty Tiers
Call of Duty: Vanguard offers four difficulty settings:
- Recruit: This is for players who want to primarily enjoy the story without much challenge. Enemies are less aggressive, and you'll be able to absorb more damage. Death is unlikely.
- Regular: This is considered the standard experience, offering a balanced challenge. Enemies are more capable, but you'll still have a good chance to adapt and overcome. This is generally how the developers intend the game to be played.
- Hardened: For those who enjoy a more intense and challenging Call of Duty experience. Enemies are more accurate and deal more damage, requiring more strategic play and use of cover.
- Veteran: This is the ultimate test of your skills. Enemies are incredibly aggressive, precise, and can kill you in just one or two shots. Checkpoints can be unforgiving, and you'll need to master every mechanic to survive. Be warned: this difficulty can be frustrating but incredibly rewarding!
Sub-heading: Our Recommendation for First-Timers
If this is your first time playing a Call of Duty campaign or you simply want to enjoy the narrative, we recommend starting on Regular. It provides a satisfying balance between challenge and enjoyment. If you're a seasoned Call of Duty veteran and love a good challenge, feel free to jump into Hardened or even Veteran! You can always change the difficulty mid-campaign if you find it too easy or too hard, though some achievements might require playing on specific difficulties from the start.
Step 3: Immersing Yourself in the Story – Starting the Campaign
With everything set up, it's time to begin your journey.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Main Menu
From the main menu, simply select "Campaign." This will typically take you to a screen where you can choose to "Resume Campaign" if you've played before, or "New Game" to start fresh. Select "New Game" to kick off the adventure.
Sub-heading: The Opening Moments – Phoenix
The campaign begins with the mission "Phoenix," which serves as an introduction to Task Force One and sets the stage for the overarching narrative. Pay attention to the cinematics and dialogue, as they are crucial for understanding the story. You'll be introduced to key characters like Arthur Kingsley, Polina Petrova, Wade Jackson, and Lucas Riggs.
Step 4: Mastering the Battlefield – Gameplay Mechanics and Tips
Now that you're in the game, let's go over some essential gameplay mechanics and tips to help you survive and thrive.
Sub-heading: Core Movement and Shooting
- Movement: You'll use your left stick (controller) or WASD keys (PC) to move. Learn to sprint (L3 on controller, Left Shift on PC) to cover ground quickly, and slide (Crouch button while sprinting) to evade incoming fire or quickly get into cover.
- Aiming Down Sights (ADS): This is crucial for accuracy. Press the left trigger (controller) or right-click (PC) to aim down your weapon's sights.
- Shooting: The right trigger (controller) or left-click (PC) fires your weapon. Remember to conserve ammunition and reload strategically.
- Reloading: Press the reload button (Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox, R on PC) to reload your weapon. Try to reload when you're in cover and not under direct fire.
Sub-heading: Utilizing Cover and Peeking
- Cover is Your Best Friend: Don't stand out in the open! Use walls, crates, vehicles, and other environmental elements to shield yourself from enemy fire.
- Lean/Peek: In some situations, you can lean around cover to get a shot off without exposing your entire body. This is a subtle but effective technique.
Sub-heading: Character-Specific Abilities
One of the unique aspects of Vanguard's campaign is that each playable character has unique abilities that can be a game-changer. Pay attention to the in-game tutorials that explain these. For example:
- Polina Petrova (Lady Nightingale): As a sniper, Polina has heightened senses, allowing her to spot enemies through smoke or thin cover. She can also clamber up ledges faster and through tight spaces.
- Arthur Kingsley: He can command his squad to focus fire on specific enemies or advance to a position. This is incredibly useful for clearing out fortified areas.
- Wade Jackson: As a pilot, Wade has a "Focus" ability that slows down time during intense aerial combat or when he needs to line up a crucial shot.
- Lucas Riggs: Lucas, the explosives expert, can carry more grenades and explosives, and his "Perception" ability highlights nearby enemies.
Experiment with these abilities! They are key to overcoming challenges in each mission.
Sub-heading: Taking Down Enemies
- Headshots are Key: Aim for the head for critical damage and quicker eliminations.
- Grenades and Lethal Equipment: Don't forget to use your grenades (L1/LB on controller, G on PC) to clear out groups of enemies or flush them out of cover.
- Melee Attacks: When enemies get too close, a quick melee attack (R3 on controller, V on PC) can save your life.
- Weapon Variety: Pick up new weapons from fallen enemies or weapon crates. Experiment to find what works best for your playstyle in different situations.
Step 5: Mission by Mission – A General Overview (Spoiler-Free)
The Vanguard campaign features nine distinct missions. While we won't go into detailed spoilers, here's a quick look at what to expect:
- Phoenix: The introduction, setting the stage.
- Operation Tonga: Focuses on Arthur Kingsley.
- Stalingrad: Introduces Polina Petrova's backstory.
- The Battle of Midway: Wade Jackson's aerial prowess.
- Numa Numa Trail: Continues Wade's story on the ground.
- Lady Nightingale: More of Polina's journey.
- The Rats of Tobruk: Lucas Riggs's explosive introduction.
- The Battle of El Alamein: Lucas faces tough leadership.
- The Fourth Reich: The epic conclusion to Task Force One's mission.
Each mission will present unique challenges and gameplay sequences, from intense firefights to stealth sections and vehicular combat. Stay adaptable and utilize your character's strengths.
Step 6: After the Battle – Finishing the Campaign
Congratulations, soldier! Once you complete the final mission, "The Fourth Reich," you'll have experienced the full story of Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign.
Sub-heading: What's Next?
- Replay on a Higher Difficulty: If you enjoyed the story and want a greater challenge, go back and replay the campaign on Hardened or Veteran.
- Achievement/Trophy Hunting: Many achievements or trophies are tied to completing the campaign on specific difficulties or performing certain actions within missions.
- Explore Other Modes: If you haven't already, dive into Vanguard's expansive Multiplayer or the cooperative Zombies mode for more Call of Duty action!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common questions about playing the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign, with quick answers:
How to install the Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
You can install the campaign by highlighting "Campaign" on the main menu and selecting the "Start Install" option, usually indicated by a button prompt.
How to unlock the Call of Duty Vanguard campaign if it's locked?
The campaign appears locked if its specific files haven't been downloaded. Hover over it on the main menu and initiate the download.
How to change difficulty in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
You can usually change the difficulty setting at the start of a new game, or sometimes between missions from the campaign menu.
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard campaign offline?
On consoles, after the initial mandatory updates and content downloads are complete, you can generally play the campaign offline. PC players typically require an internet connection for the Battle.net launcher to run any mode, including the campaign.
How to skip cutscenes in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
During a cutscene, look for a prompt on the screen (usually a button press) to skip it.
How to save progress in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
The game automatically saves your progress at checkpoints throughout each mission. There's no manual save option.
How to check my progress in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
Your progress is usually displayed on the campaign selection screen, showing which missions you've completed.
How to replay missions in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
After completing the campaign, you can typically access a "Mission Select" option from the campaign menu to replay any mission you've already finished.
How to get all achievements/trophies in Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
Many achievements/trophies are tied to completing the campaign on Veteran difficulty. Others require specific actions within missions. Check an online achievement guide for details.
How to know the story of Call of Duty Vanguard campaign?
Pay close attention to the in-game cinematics, character dialogue, and mission briefings. The story unfolds linearly as you progress through the nine missions.
